thanks for the reply's. i'm really hoping the fan shroud did the trick because it was fine before i broke it. one thing i'm worried about is the fact that i broke a blade or 2 and replaced the fan with a regular bbc fan and not the $200 factory one. it's an inch less in diameter but has 1 more blade. i just want to take any additional(cheap) precautions that i can. the radiator flush may be an urban legend. i've heard about it but have never seen it at an auto parts store. maybe i'll do a search. i've decided i'm making the trip regardless. if i've got to stop in the middle of the siskyous, so be it. it takes a long grade to spit the fluid out and if the shroud is any improvement at all, i should be ok. i let it idle for quite a while yesterday in the smog test line(which it passed). it warmed up a little but not excessive. if it's a miserable overheating nightmare, i'll pull the radiator when i get to my hometown in WA. that's where all my buddies and their tools, shops, and skills, are. here in phoenix, i pay retail for everything and i don't know anyone with dana 44's, 60's, and ford 9"'s sitting around on their property. i'm gettin' a little homesick just thinkin' about it.